Glowing like gold, this is a solid-fill "pop", testing the performance of an improved and more cost-feasible mold design; to ensure that it will both properly reproduce and then de-mold even a completely inflexible, heavy piece - yet one having delicate, protruding details - exactly as on this upgrade.

As you can see, the result was 100% successful. Take another gander or two, looking down the centerline:

Click on Image to Enlarge

All these details - every last one, down to the tiniest dimple and pimple - is accurate directly to actual photos from Donny Murphy's website about USS Casimir Pulaski SSBN 633; a Lafayette-class (Polaris/Poseidon) FBM. There are in fact a couple additional tiny texture details so fine they don't even show up in these pics!

But I'll show you everything that my camera possibly can:

Click on Image to Enlarge

These side views show the raised (retractable) cleats and capstan, all of which have scribing around their bases, so that to depict any or all of them retracted, the builder need only chisel off the raised feature flush with the hull. Likewise, at the foot of the hatch sits the accurately-scaled hatchway, to which it is perfectly fitted, for insertion - again, after carefully chiseling it free - in order to depict the hatch closed. On its back, and encircling the hatchway, are tiny raised "U"-shaped lashing eyes; again 100% accurate to reference photos of the real thing.

This test casting already could, with some heavy grinding of overpour around the edges, be used to upgrade a sealed-up build of the Revell Andrew Jackson (ex-Renwal Ethan Allen, etc.) kit - such as the award-winning build of the 633 Boat by Gus Hager. However the actual part design is for a hollow casting; far easier to use. I have already popped two of those - again, just perfectly - and they could likewise be used on any sealed-up build from this kit. So, if anyone(s) out there just has to have one of the above right now, let me know and I'll be happy to fix you up. (We'll work out some custom price.)

Meanwhile, the current plan is to take a couple more weeks to endow the final form with easy adaptability for use with the opening, or "cutaway" build of this kit, as originally intended. The matching nosecone, now fully completed, is likewise already 100% compatible for either type of build.